NFL's top 25 games of 2024
Wed May 15 2:01pm ET
Field Level Media
Christmas Day for NFL marketing and ticket sales departments finally arrived Wednesday with the release of the 2024 season schedule.
With subplots and peripheral angles multiplying before our eyes - hello, Netflix, welcome to NFL holiday football broadcasts - Field Level Media's football-minded contributors assembled the top 25 games of 2024.
24. Cardinals at Jets, TBD: We're grabbing our popcorn for one matchup, and one matchup alone: Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner. Top five draft picks likely to be near the top of the pecking order at their position for a decade.
23. Colts at Patriots, TBD: Drake Maye, the No. 3 pick in the 2024 draft, meet Anthony Richardson, drafted fourth overall in 2023. Indianapolis appeared to have a hit on its hands before Richardson was shut down to undergo shoulder surgery. If he can stay healthy and Maye isn't relegated to clipboard duty behind former Colts starter Jacoby Brissett, we're eager to make early evaluations of purported franchise QBs.
22. Jaguars at Eagles, TBD: Young QBs and strong pass rush are common bonds, sure, but the plotline we're looking at is the reception for Jacksonville head coach Doug Pederson. He played for the Eagles (1999) but was essentially a coach-in-training for Donovan McNabb, then served as an assistant for Andy Reid and came back from a stint in KC for a five-year run that included a Super Bowl.
21. Bears at Texans, TBD: The Bears also get a meeting with the Carolina Panthers for the second consecutive season. With all due respect to Panthers 2023 No. 1 pick Bryce Young, the top rookie quarterback last season was Houston's C.J. Stroud. His numbers would have been the best ever single-season passing total for a Bears QB (4,108 to Erik Kramer's team record of 3,803). Stroud had 26 TD passes including the playoffs despite missing time with a concussion). The Bears hitched their wagon to No. 1 pick Caleb Williams with the rookie carrying massive talent - and expectations - in Year 1.
20. Vikings at Giants, TBD: All of the QB uncertainty one can handle on the undercard, LSU products Justin Jefferson (Vikings) and Malik Nabers (Giants) in the main event.
19. 49ers at Seahawks, TBD: Maybe you overlooked it. There's not a chance Brock Purdy did. He knows new Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald's defense - that of the Ravens - had him seeing ghosts in a five-interception laugher on Christmas Night last season. Macdonald's new club has a bunch of cross-training chess pieces determined to unseat the 49ers from the NFC West perch.
18. Jets at 49ers, Sept. 9: Week 1 on "Monday Night Football" is a familiar refrain for the Jets, who are hoping Aaron Rodgers has some magic left following a season-ending injury four snaps into his first start with the team in 2023. Rodgers is local - Chico, Calif., Butte JC and Cal - and went 6-3 against the 49ers with the Packers. Now 40 years old, he'll try to tip the scales toward the Jets, who are 3-11 all-time in the series with San Francisco. Jets head coach Robert Saleh has known 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan since breaking into the NFL as a low-level assistant with the Texans 15 years ago and was defensive coordinator on his staff before taking over with the Jets.
17. Cowboys at Commanders, TBD: Dan Quinn gets his second chance as a head coach in Washington and to be the champ in the NFC East, he'll have to take down his previous employer and boss, the Cowboys and Mike McCarthy. Given the amount of time Quinn spent with McCarthy and Dak Prescott, don't discount the level of concern the Cowboys have entering two games with Washington.
16. Eagles vs. Packers (Brazil), Sept. 6: The youngest roster in the NFL last season belonged to the Packers, and nobody can fault what Green Bay did in the offseason. Head coach Matt LaFleur debuts his offense with Josh Jacobs at running back and a new-look defense. It'll also be a big reveal game for the Eagles, unleashing their own big-ticket offseason item, Saquon Barkley, and a number of new faces on defense.
15. Falcons at Vikings, TBD: Welcome back, Kirk Cousins, congratulations on finding a team that didn't want to invest in a young quarterback to insure its $100M guarantee to a 35-year-old starter coming off an Achilles injury. Oops. Cousins could be hailed or hated for bailing on the Vikings in free agency following 50 regular-season wins in six seasons of Skol-ing.
14. Ravens at Chargers, TBD: Los Angeles and new hire Jim Harbaugh welcome John Harbaugh and the Ravens with entertainment expected to be rich before, during and after a matchup of AFC heavyweights. John Harbaugh won the last meeting and survived a brief power outage at the Super Bowl in New Orleans to take home the Lombardi and deal Jim's 49ers a painful defeat.
13. Steelers at Broncos, Week 2: Revenge games bring out the spirit and emotion you might not otherwise find in games that don't include Mike Tomlin. Pittsburgh picked up Russell Wilson after he was scrapped at a cost north of $80 million to Denver by second-year head coach Sean Payton. Payton, of course, is still in town and brought in a rookie, Oregon's Bo Nix, to train in the system that helped make Drew Brees a legend. Don't look now, but Pittsburgh had a sneaky excellent offseason while the Broncos shed leaders and linchpins on both sides of the ball (Wilson, Justin Simmons, Jerry Jeudy). If reunions are your thing, Payton also heads back to New Orleans this season.
12. Jets at Bills, Week 17: We know they'll get an earlier go at each other on "Monday Night Football" In October, but let's give the season time to breath and Aaron Rodgers time to round back into form. He'll be recently removed from his 41st birthday but should know the names of all of his wide receivers, a task Josh Allen might need more time to complete.
11. Ravens at Cowboys, TBD: Dak Prescott was great at home last season and Dallas fortified the offensive line through the draft. Whether new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer has an answer for mobile quarterbacks - namely Lamar Jackson - might be the hot-button issue for the Cowboys. Baltimore's No. 1-ranked defense in 2023 also traveled well last season, battering Brock Purdy, Trevor Lawrence and Justin Herbert and limiting those three teams to a combined 36 points in Ravens' road wins.
10. 49ers at Packers, Nov. 24: Week 12 and the start of a pivotal, NFC-dominated, primetime featured stretch for Green Bay with nighttime marquee matchups at Detroit (Week 14) and Seattle (Week 15) ahead. Jordan Love's two interceptions stopped the Packers short of an upset at San Francisco in the divisional playoffs in January.
9. Texans at Cowboys, TBD: C.J. Stroud appears to be special and the Texans made sure his supporting cast wouldn't be a reason for a sophomore slump. But one warning: only the Bills and Patriots have a more difficult schedule based on 2023 results and offseason moves. Among the appealing underlying matchups: Houston wide receiver Stefon Diggs vs. Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs.
8. Bears at Packers, Jan. 5: The Week 18 finale was meaningful for Green Bay last season, and Jordan Love guided the Packers into the postseason to sweep the Bears and continue the trend Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers started. No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams makes his first foray into the likely frozen tundra. Will the Bears be playing for more than a spoiler token?
7. Dolphins at 49ers, TBD: It was Dec. 4, 2022, and far more meaningful than we knew at the time when a seventh-round rookie - 49ers QB Brock Purdy - made his first career start with two TD passes in a 33-17 home win over the Miami Dolphins. Back to the scene come the Dolphins with former 49ers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel a solid bet to share some unknown intel about old boss Kyle Shanahan in the game week buildup.
6. Ravens at Chiefs, Sept. 5: Had this one been bumped back a couple months to multiply the meaningfulness in the standings and AFC playoff picture, it had an angle on a top three game of the 2024 regular season. Lamar Jackson vs. Patrick Mahomes remains must-see for all the right reasons.
5. 49ers at Bills, Dec. 4: The week-after-Thanksgiving primetime game on Sunday of Week 13 should be meaningful for teams with Super Bowl aspirations.
4. Rams at Lions, TBD: Two franchises on schedule to combine for more than $350 million in deposits into Jared Goff's bank account are back at it with Detroit out to duplicate their playoff win in January over one-time Lions QB Matthew Stafford.
3. Ravens at Eagles, TBD: Star power on display? Check-check. Potential Super Bowl preview? Sure thing. Saquon Barkley (Eagles) and Derrick Henry (Ravens) add firepower to a pair of offenses with explosive potential.
2. Lions at 49ers, TBD: Other than tackle eligible, think of another phrase that could spike Dan Campbell's temperature more than "at San Francisco." Didn't think so. The Lions were halfway to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl leading the 49ers handily in the NFC Championship but coughed up a 17-point lead and bowed out of the playoffs in a 34-31 defeat instead. If Campbell circled this game on the schedule in ink, we're guessing you can't read it.
1. (tie) Chiefs at 49ers, TBD: Familiar enough to be rivals, the Chiefs left with the jewels in recent games that really mattered between teams with a combined 50-18 record the past two regular seasons. San Francisco took a lashing from the Chiefs, 44-23, at home in Oct. 23 before the dawning of the Brock Purdy era.
1. (tie) Bengals at Chiefs, TBD: Don't forget Joe Burrow, he's more than the highest-paid player in 2024. The Bengals quarterback is 3-1 against the Chiefs but was sidelined with a broken wrist when the teams played in 2023. Don't look for a warm reception in Kansas City, where fans aren't soon to forget Burrow's boys calling the Chiefs' stadium "Burrow-head" based on his success at the home of Patrick Mahomes.
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- 49ers activate star TE George Kittle (hamstring) from IR
- Colts put Charvarius Ward Sr. (concussion) on IR
- Commanders WR Deebo Samuel (heel) out vs. Cowboys
- Cardinals rolling with Jacoby Brissett again as Kyler Murray is out
- Giants WR Darius Slayton downgraded to out vs. Broncos
- Panthers activate WR Jalen Coker, OL Austin Corbett from IR
- Cowboys activate CB Caelen Carson (knee) from IR
- Bucs coach: WR Emeka Egbuka game-time decision vs. Lions
- 49ers’ Mac Jones to start again as Brock Purdy, Ricky Pearsall ruled out vs. Falcons
- Raiders star TE Brock Bowers (knee) doubtful vs. Chiefs
- Chiefs delighted with Rashee Rice's week of practice
- Vikings QB Carson Wentz named Week 7 starter, returns to Philly as opponent
- Titans WR Calvin Ridley, OLB Arden Key to sit out vs. Patriots
- Status of Cardinals' Kyler Murray, Marvin Harrison Jr. remains unclear
- Panthers coach mum on starting running back vs. Jets
- Cowboys CB Trevon Diggs out Sunday after accident at home
- Commanders WR Terry McLaurin won't play at Dallas
- Rams WR Puka Nacua ruled out in London vs. Jaguars
- Commanders add WR Treylon Burks to practice squad
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The Paur Report
Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (heel) is active for Sunday's Week 7 contest against the Minnesota Vikings, according to Paul Allen of KFAN1003. He had been listed as questionable after logging a pair of limited practices. The 24-year-old has played snaps in four games this season, not including when he was ejected in Week 1, and when he missed Week 6 due to injury. He has 10 tackles so far this season. Carter will return to action Sunday afternoon and provide a key boost to the Eagles as they look to slow down a surging Vikings squad.
From RotoBaller
Carolina Panthers running backs Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle will trade series early in Sunday's Week 7 contest against the New York Jets, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. By alternating drives, the two running backs will have an opportunity to maintain fresh legs, while the coaching staff gets a chance to decide which running back to lean on later in the game. Both running backs may play quite well to start the game and then continue to contribute in a committee for the rest of the contest. However, by alternating series, Hubbard and Dowdle will each at least have a chance to establish themselves as the primary option out of this backfield. Hubbard and Dowdle both rank as solid RB3 options this week, and they could both have standalone value in an offense that has become increasingly run-heavy. Hubbard has appeal since he was the Panthers' starter before his calf injury and is first on the depth chart, while Dowdle has appeal because he exploded for 473 yards and two touchdowns in the two weeks that Hubbard missed.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (ankle) is currently recovering as he tries to work his way back from a multi-week absence. However, even when McCarthy is healthy again, he's not guaranteed to reclaim the starting quarterback job in Minnesota. Carson Wentz (shoulder) has been playing well as the Vikings' fill-in starter, and it could be tempting for head coach Kevin O'Connell to ride the hot hand. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, "the Vikings are putting off [the quarterback] decision until they absolutely have to make it. If Wentz wins this week, wins next week, it's hard to imagine the team making him the backup, after that run of success." McCarthy remains a strong stash in dynasty leagues, but he has lost plenty of his redraft appeal.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (toe) could return against the Houston Texans in Week 8, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. The team has "hope" that he'll be able to suit up next Sunday, but Pelissero notes that he has not logged a full practice since Week 4. Furthermore, the 49ers don't intend to rush Purdy back, and he won't return to the starting lineup until he's fully healthy once again. Next week's set of practices will be the true test in determining whether the former seventh-round pick is capable of playing. In the meantime, Mac Jones will lead the 49ers' offense in Week 7 against Houston.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams tight end Tutu Atwell should have a significantly large role against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. Teammate Puka Nacua (ankle) was ruled out, leaving Atwell and Jordan Whittington competing for the No. 2 wide receiver role behind Davante Adams. While Whittington played more than 90 percent of the snaps last weekend, Atwell has more experience in Los Angeles' offense. He's primarily a deep threat, offering the Rams a weapon downfield with his ability to shake defenders and get open for big gains. Over his last two games alone, he has three catches, 160 yards, and one touchdown. Deep-threat players tend to be a little more boom-or-bust, so we can't guarantee that Atwell will produce even with Nacua out. However, he should certainly occupy a larger role on Sunday, giving him a greater chance to offer WR3/flex value in fantasy football.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears DT Grady Jarrett (knee) is expected to play in Week 7's game versus the New Orleans Saints, according to a source. He had been listed as questionable on the injury report after participating in just one of Chicago's three practice sessions during the week on a limited basis.
From TheHuddle
Washington Commanders TE Zach Ertz (shoulder, calf) is expected to play in Week 7's game versus the Dallas Cowboys, according to a source.
Fantasy Spin: Ertz had been listed as questionable on the injury report after logging one full practice session and one limited session during the week. The Commanders will be missing their top three receivers this weekend (Terry McLaurin, Deebo Samuel and Noah Brown) due to injuries, so he can be deployed as a low-end TE1 option if he is active for the game.
From TheHuddle
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer is expected to remain the team's starter in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Star tight end Brock Bowers (knee) will likely miss his third consecutive game, leaving Mayer in line to operate at the top of the depth chart. It will be the second consecutive start for the 24-year-old, who was excellent last Sunday with five catches, 50 yards, and a touchdown. The Chiefs have allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points to tight ends in 2025, but an anticipated negative game script and a lack of many other options in the passing game will likely compel Geno Smith to throw to his primary tight end early and often. Mayer should be viewed as a mid-to-low TE1 this week.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Jordan Whittington will move up the depth chart for Sunday's Week 7 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Rams will be without top wideout Puka Nacua (ankle) for this game. That means, Whittington could move into the No. 2 role behind Davante Adams for this game. The 25-year-old has been quiet, but saw a season-high four targets and played 92 percent of the offensive snaps during last week's game. The expectation is that Whittington will be more involved with Nacua unable to play. There should be flex value here against a shaky Jaguars secondary this weekend.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders wide receiver Chris Moore figures to have a larger role during Sunday's Week 7 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. The Commanders are without wideouts Terry McLaurin (quad), Deebo Samuel Sr. (heel), and Noah Brown (groin) for this game. That means, Luke McCaffrey and Moore will serve as the top wideouts in this offense. Moore posted a decent game last week where he hauled in three receptions for 46 yards and a touchdown. The Cowboys secondary is already struggling, but now they'll be without top defensive back Trevon Diggs (concussion) as well. Moore could offer flex value in PPR formats.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders wide receiver Luke McCaffrey will serve as the No. 1 wideout for Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys. The Commanders will be without Terry McLaurin (quad), Deebo Samuel Sr. (heel), and Noah Brown (groin) for this Week 7 contest. McCaffrey will serve as the top option against the Cowboys defense that is without starting defensive back Trevon Diggs (concussion) for this game. McCaffrey has been quiet this season, but could offer flex value for needy fantasy managers. The Commanders are limited on options, so McCaffrey should see plenty of opportunities.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers running back Emanuel Wilson hasn't seen much of the field this season, but could be more involved in Week 7. Lead back Josh Jacobs (illness, calf) is banged up heading into this contest. Right now, Jacobs is considered a game-time decision for Sunday's game. If he sits, Wilson would offer streaming value as the lead back this weekend. Even as the backup, Wilson figures to have increased duties with Jacobs banged up. He's not worth starting right now, but could be worth a stash given Jacobs' status right now. Wilson could give running back needy fantasy managers an option if Jacobs is unable to go.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz has been named the starter for the Week 7 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. This marks the fourth straight start for Wentz while J.J. McCarthy (ankle) recovers. According to Ian Rapoport, Wentz could be under center for Week 8 as well. It doesn't sound like the Vikings are fully committed to McCarthy once he's healthy. Wentz has been a viable option with 759 passing yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions in place of McCarthy. It'll be interesting to see how he does in a revenge game against the Eagles in Week 7. He should be able to offer streaming appeal against the Eagles shaky secondary.
From RotoBaller
Despite trade conjecture surrounding their best player, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport is reporting that the Tennessee Titans will not trade defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. One of the league's best defensive players at any position, Simmons is the most sought-after player on a team that is 1-5 and fired its coach this week. The Titans are a long way from contending and figure to move some players before the trade deadline, though it appears that their All-Pro defensive tackle won't be one of them. Headed for another teardown, it looks as if Simmons, 28, is still in the Titans' plans for a rebuild.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (heel) is likely to be ready when his team plays the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium, according to a report from Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The star defensive lineman missed Week 6 with the injury, but should be back for a Philly defense in search of a rebound following an ugly loss to the New York Giants. Minnesota will be without its starting center, Ryan Kelly (concussion), and possibly right tackle Brian O'Neill (knee), giving the Eagles a decent chance to disrupt an offense led by backup quarterback Carson Wentz.
From RotoBaller
New York Giants edge rusher Abdul Carter (hamstring) will be a game-time decision to take on the Denver Broncos in Week 7, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The rookie from Penn State has made the trip to Denver, per Rapoport, but will use pre-game workouts to determine whether he can play through the hamstring ailment. If he responds well, it's possible he could play against a Broncos offense that struggled last week, but managers in IDP should make other plans nonetheless. With a 4:05 p.m. EST kickoff, waiting for Carter's official status is too risky to start him this week.
From RotoBaller
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (knee, toe) will use Sunday's pre-game workout to determine whether he can play through the injuries, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Raiders are once again set to be without tight end Brock Bowers (knee), and could also be without another pass catcher if the veteran receiver is not able to play. Meyers hasn't been a great fantasy option since a productive Week 1, as he's ranked 40th or lower among PPR receivers four weeks in a row. Now facing multiple injuries and a matchup against a strong Kansas City defense, managers should look for other options this week.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (chest) is expected to play when the Pats take on the Tennessee Titans in Week 7, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The veteran wide receiver has two top-20 finishes in the past three weeks and has started to look like his old self now that he is one year removed from a major knee injury as a member of the Houston Texans. Diggs has 22 targets, 19 catches, and 275 yards in New England's past three games, and now takes on a Titans team ranked 18th against fantasy wide receivers. He's a solid WR2/high-end Flex in Week 7 who can be started in pretty much all formats.
From RotoBaller
During their first game with an interim coaching staff, the Tennessee Titans plan to "simplify" their offense in an attempt to aid rookie quarterback Cameron Ward, according to a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter. The 2025 No. 1 overall pick is completing just under 55% of his passes for 1,101 yards with three touchdowns and four interceptions through six games, but the Titans are 1-5 and fired head coach Brian Callahan this week. Tennessee is set to take on resurgent New England in Week 7, which should keep Ward, ranked as the No. 33 fantasy quarterback, out of fantasy lineups. At this point, Ward should only be rostered in dynasty formats on a Titans team that is making another strong case to draft first overall.
From RotoBaller
According to a report from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, tight end Zach Ertz (shoulder/calf) of the Washington Commanders should be available to play against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday. The veteran tight end is coming off one of his more productive days of the season last week, catching all six of his targets for 43 yards and a touchdown. Ertz's availability is welcome news for Washington, which is ravaged by wide receiver injuries. With Deebo Samuel (heel) and Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) already ruled out and Noah Brown (groin) still on injured reserve, Ertz should have increased volume, making him a great option for leagues that start more than one tight end.
From RotoBaller
